For years, local shelters in the Northeast have been bringing homeless dogs up from the South for a shot at adoption. When I first found out about these rescue missions, it seemed like a waste of resources when there are so many homeless pets right here in New York.

But, as it turns out, many Northeastern shelters and rescue groups have a hard time keeping up with demand for certain dogs. So it has become common to transport dogs that will be adopted quickly, like small breeds. Overpopulation is a big problem in the South because spay/neuter rates are much lower there.

New Jersey-based PetResQ is one of those rescue groups that transport Southern dogs. After learning about animal control officers accused of shooting 22 dogs to death last year in North Carolina, they decided to organize a transport targeting dogs slated for euthanasia in that region.

I know that many dogs are euthanized every day in New York, so it still feels wrong to bring more animals into the picture. However, in reality most homeless dogs in my area are Pit Bulls and most people want to adopt a Retriever or Beagle. If bringing dogs from the South fills that need, it seems like a win-win for both sides.